The Chosen One - Carol Lynch Williams Page 0,47

“This is un-freaking-believable. They beat the hell out of you.”

What can I say to that?

Instead, he speaks again. And when he says it, the words are almost not there. “I’ll take you with me.”

I look at Patrick.

He’s squatting there next to me, his economics book on the floor, that Big Gulp cup sweating.

“Right now,” he says. “We’ll get help. You can stay with my wife, Emily, and me. We’ll do what we have to, Kyra. If you want.”

He moves to his seat, waits for my answer, his hand hovers above the ignition.

I nod.

He starts the van, shifts into gear, and we are off.

AT THE SOUND of the engine, I start to cry. It’s like my life flashes before my eyes. I see Laura, Margaret, and Carolina. I think of Father and Mother Sarah, empty of a baby and with me gone, no one to take care of her.

The tears fall warm on my hands as I look into my lap.

I’m still on the floor, right near the W section of this mobile library.

“It’s okay, Kyra,” Patrick says. “Everything’s going to be okay. I promise.” He turns his head. Looks at me briefly over his shoulder. Drives on.

The back of the Ironton County Mobile Library on Wheels sways and I am rocked against books. I pull my knees under my chin, missing my family more than I thought possible.

I’ve left my music behind. And my sisters. And mothers. And father.

And Uncle Hyrum, a voice says.

I squeeze my eyes shut.

What will happen now?

When I don’t go back home, what will happen? When will they notice? When will they see I am gone? Will the God Squad see me not come home? What will Mother Sarah do? Will she look for me, holding her stomach where Abigail used to be? Will Mother Claire and Mother Victoria go out with Father, walk the perimeter of the Compound, check the irrigation ditches?

What will Uncle Hyrum do?

Will Laura miss me? Margaret and Carolina? Will they miss me? What about Emily? Will she be okay if I’m gone? And Mariah?

How long before the Prophet sends someone to look for me?

“Stay down until we go past where you live,” Patrick says. He flips on music and rocks his head in time. Then he says, “We’re past. Give me a mile or so more.”

I bounce a bit on the van floor. This bookmobile drives a lot more rough than our old van.

I’m so sad I can’t even look at book titles. I’m so sad I think my heart may never be okay again.

Is getting away from Uncle Hyrum worth leaving my family for?

Don’t think about home right now, the voice says. Just get away.

Patrick’s voice interrupts my thoughts. “You want to come sit up here with me, Kyra?” He nods at the passenger seat as we drive away from my family. My family and Uncle Hyrum.

I’m still sniffling, but I say I will.

I make my way to the front of the van, swaying with the movement.

“It’ll be okay, Kyra,” Patrick says. I look him right in the eyes. I see he believes it.

Outside, flat land rolls past.

“I miss them already,” I say and burst into fresh tears. “I’m never going to be allowed to see them again.”

I know this is the truth as soon as I say it.

Laura will sleep alone from now on.

I won’t scrooch up next to her.

I won’t hold Mariah.

Again, Patrick reaches over and pats me. This time he pats my arm, right on a bruise, but I don’t tell him so. The movement is awkward. Nothing like Father with me. Nothing like the way Mother loves me. Or Emily. But Patrick is sincere. And I have to believe in his sincerity. Maybe it will save my life.

WE HAVEN’T GOTTEN even fifteen miles from the Compound when Patrick says, “What? I wasn’t breaking the speed limit.” He taps at the brakes.

I look out the sideview mirror.

A police car is behind us and has its lights on.

All the sudden I am so full of energy, I could run faster than we’re driving. “Don’t stop,” I say, my voice high and loud. “Patrick, don’t stop.”

“Why not?” he asks, still slowing the van. “It’s a cop.”

“No!” My voice doesn’t sound like it belongs to me. “He’s from the Compound. You cannot stop.”

Patrick’s face goes all funny. He says, “Is your seat belt on, Kyra?”

“Yes.” I’m having trouble breathing.

I clutch the arms of the seat. The van bounces down the old road. Patrick slams the gas pedal all the way